Mushroom foraging laws in Louisiana
Compiled from official sources; not legal advice. Rules change. Confirm with the land manager or the agency before you pick.
Summary
Louisiana wildlife management area rules name mushrooms: gathering mushrooms, soft fruits and berries is limited to five gallons per person per day, while removing wild plants needs an LDWF permit. State park rules bar removing park property, which includes plants and natural features, without the owner's consent, and do not name mushrooms. Commercial activity on WMAs needs a permit.
Public land
Wildlife management areas (LDWF): rule LAC 76:XIX.111 says gathering and removing soft fruits, mushrooms and berries is limited to five gallons per person per day, and removal of wild plants is prohibited without an LDWF permit. State parks: LAC Title 25 section 303 says no person shall intentionally remove, damage, disturb or destroy park property without consent, and property includes natural features and plants. Mushrooms are not named in the park rule; ask the park. Federal land follows its own rules.
Permits
WMAs: an LDWF permit is needed to remove wild plants, and a permit from the LDWF secretary is needed for commercial activities. State parks: consent of the owner is needed to remove park property.
Limits
On WMAs, gathering and removal of soft fruits, mushrooms and berries is limited to five gallons per person per day (American lotus seeds and pods share this limit).
Selling
On WMAs, commercial activities are prohibited without a permit from the LDWF secretary, except licensed activities allowed by law. The rule does not say whether this covers selling picked mushrooms. No Louisiana rule on selling wild mushrooms to food establishments was confirmed.
Sources
- LAC Title 25, Part IX, 303 Park Property and Environment (Louisiana Office of State Parks; Cornell LII copy)
- La. Admin. Code tit. 76, XIX-111 General and WMA Hunting Rules (LDWF)
Last verified: November 11, 2026